Hird set to lay eyes on ASADA report

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Saga ... James Hird's coaching career could ride on the ASADA interim report. Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

JAMES Hird will today lay eyes on the drugs report that could derail his coaching career as new details emerge of the pressure on him in April to stand down.

It is understood Essendon's crisis manager Elizabeth Lukin spoke to Hird in Perth by phone on the eve of the club's Round 3 match against Fremantle.

The pair discussed the growing crisis amid intense speculation on his future.

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It was the second time in two days Hird felt pressure from figures connected to the club to step aside.

Lukin would not comment on the phone call on Tuesday night.

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Hird's lawyers were on Tuesday given access to the 400-page Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) interim report into Essendon's 2012 supplements program.

Hird was due to read the report on Wednesday.

AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon has the task of deciding whether to charge Essendon and/or club officials over the supplements scandal.

Essendon and individuals would be given up to two weeks to respond, with the AFL Commission the final authority.

The Commission is due to meet this month on Monday, and again on August 26.

Hird has maintained he has done nothing wrong but if the Commission finds otherwise, he could be suspended from the AFL.

It was revealed yesterday Hird's lawyer, Tony Nolan SC, was contacted by another lawyer, Tony Hargreaves, on Wednesday, April 10. Hird was advised to consider his position.

Hargreaves is working for Essendon but insisted this week he did not pass on a message under instructions from Essendon or the club's board.

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Lukin and Hird spoke on the telephone the next day.

The following day, AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said on 3AW that stepping down was something the Bombers coach should consider.

"As he goes through his thought process ... that is an option he has to consider," Demetriou said.

Hird was still a week away from facing ASADA investigators.

Lukin, a public relations expert, was hired by the Bombers in February to help steer the club through the drugs crisis.

She was present in the AFL boardroom on the morning of February 5 when club chiefs met with the AFL to discuss plans to hold a press conference to explain why the club had "self-reported" to the league and ASADA.

Lukin had previously advised Essendon.

Her other clients have included West Coast during the Ben Cousins drugs saga and senior AFL figures, including Demetriou.

"My five years experience providing issues management advice for AFL leaders Wayne Jackson and Andrew Demetriou has underlined to me how important it is to protect their reputations while managing their campaigns," Lukin says in one online profile.

After Essendon chairman David Evans resigned 12 days ago, Lukin parted ways with the club.

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